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Yackel HD, Halpenny B, Abrahm JL, Ligibel J, Enzinger A, Lobach DF, Cooley ME. A qualitative analysis of algorithm-based decision support usability testing for symptom management across the trajectory of cancer care: one size does not fit all. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:63. [PMID: 38443870 PMCID: PMC10913367 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults with cancer experience symptoms that change across the disease trajectory. Due to the distress and cost associated with uncontrolled symptoms, improving symptom management is an important component of quality cancer care. Clinical decision support (CDS) is a promising strategy to integrate clinical practice guideline (CPG)-based symptom management recommendations at the point of care. METHODS The objectives of this project were to develop and evaluate the usability of two symptom management algorithms (constipation and fatigue) across the trajectory of cancer care in patients with active disease treated in comprehensive or community cancer care settings to surveillance of cancer survivors in primary care practices. A modified ADAPTE process was used to develop algorithms based on national CPGs. Usability testing involved semi-structured interviews with clinicians from varied care settings, including comprehensive and community cancer centers, and primary care. The transcripts were analyzed with MAXQDA using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. A cross tabs analysis was also performed to assess the prevalence of themes and subthemes by cancer care setting. RESULTS A total of 17 clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) were interviewed for usability testing. Three main themes emerged: (1) Algorithms as useful, (2) Symptom management differences, and (3) Different target end-users. The cross-tabs analysis demonstrated differences among care trajectories and settings that originated in the Symptom management differences theme. The sub-themes of "Differences between diseases" and "Differences between care trajectories" originated from participants working in a comprehensive cancer center, which tends to be disease-specific locations for patients on active treatment. Meanwhile, participants from primary care identified the sub-theme of "Differences in settings," indicating that symptom management strategies are care setting specific. CONCLUSIONS While CDS can help promote evidence-based symptom management, systems providing care recommendations need to be specifically developed to fit patient characteristics and clinical context. Findings suggest that one set of algorithms will not be applicable throughout the entire cancer trajectory. Unique CDS for symptom management will be needed for patients who are cancer survivors being followed in primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Halpenny
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, LW-508, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet L Abrahm
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, LW-508, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Ligibel
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, LW-508, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Enzinger
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, LW-508, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David F Lobach
- Elimu Informatics, 1709 Julian Court, 94530, El Cerrito, CA, USA
| | - Mary E Cooley
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, LW-508, 02215, Boston, MA, USA.
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Pozzar RA, Tulsky JA, Berry DL, Batista J, Yackel HD, Phan H, Wright AA. Developing a Collaborative Agenda-Setting Intervention (CASI) to promote patient-centered communication in ovarian cancer care: A design thinking approach. Patient Educ Couns 2024; 120:108099. [PMID: 38086227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patient-centered communication (PCC) occurs when clinicians respond to patients' needs, preferences, and concerns. While PCC is associated with better health-related quality of life in patients with cancer, patients with ovarian cancer have reported unmet communication needs. We used design thinking to develop an intervention to promote PCC in ovarian cancer care. METHODS Following the steps of design thinking, we empathized with stakeholders by reviewing the literature, then created stakeholder and journey maps to define the design challenge. To ideate solutions, we developed a challenge map. Finally, we developed wireframe prototypes and tested them with stakeholders. RESULTS Empathizing revealed that misaligned visit priorities precipitated suboptimal communication. Defining the design challenge and ideating solutions highlighted the need to normalize preference assessments, promote communication self-efficacy, and enhance visit efficiency. The Collaborative Agenda-Setting Intervention (CASI) elicits patients' needs and preferences and delivers communication guidance at the point of care. Stakeholders approved of the prototype. CONCLUSION Design thinking provided a systematic approach to empathizing with stakeholders, identifying challenges, and innovating solutions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS To our knowledge, the CASI is the first intervention to set the visit agenda and support communication from within the electronic health record. Future research will assess its usability and acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Pozzar
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - James A Tulsky
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Donna L Berry
- University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jeidy Batista
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Hang Phan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Alexi A Wright
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Wu W, Yackel HD, Salner A, Chen MH, Judge MP, Cong X, Xu W. Work-health balance of cancer survivors returning to work: A meta-ethnography. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 68:102482. [PMID: 38070450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This meta-ethnography investigates the multifaceted health-related experiences of cancer survivors returning to work (RTW), recognizing the pivotal role of employment in overall well-being, particularly in the context of increasing cancer cases among working-age adults. METHOD Following the methodology of Noblit and Hare, a comprehensive literature search was conducted from 2013 to 2023 in databases including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase. Qualitative studies assessing cancer survivors' experiences, motivation, concern, resilience, and need in the process of RTW were identified. Eligible studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Checklist, and their findings were subsequently synthesized. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included for analysis. The finding revealed five key themes: motivations (voluntary and involuntary), cancer-related concerns, resilience, needs for cancer healthcare support, and workplace accommodation. Voluntarily RTW was primarily linked to desires of normalcy, while involuntary RTW was often financially driven. Cancer survivors often face physical, psychological, and social challenges in the RTW process. Resilience played a crucial role in their readaptation to the workplace. Participants expressed the need for additional guidance from healthcare providers and tailored support from the workplace to facilitate a smoother RTW experience. CONCLUSION Cancer survivors aspire to be actively engaged, have their specific needs addressed, and achieve success in their return-to-work endeavors. Occupational guidance and accommodation from healthcare providers and employers play a pivotal role in empowering survivors to balance cancer and work, facilitating the return-to-work process, and enhancing the quality of survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizi Wu
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | | | - Andrew Salner
- Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Chen
- Department of Statistics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Michelle P Judge
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Xiaomei Cong
- Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, CT, 06477, USA
| | - Wanli Xu
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
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Yackel HD, Montano ARL. Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Health Care Teams in a Regional Cancer Institute: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Semin Oncol Nurs 2023; 39:151468. [PMID: 37385871 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Oncology is a rapidly changing clinical setting. Research has shown improved patient outcomes and staff satisfaction following interprofessional collaborative education, but there has been limited research on perceptions of interprofessional collaboration among oncology health care professionals. The aims of this study were to: 1) assess attitudes of health care professionals toward interprofessional teams in oncology care, and 2) assess for differences in attitudes across various demographic and workplace groups. DATA SOURCES The research design was an electronic cross-sectional survey. The main instrument utilized was the Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Health Care Teams (ATIHCT) survey. A total of 187 oncology health care professionals from a regional New England cancer institute completed the survey. The ATIHCT mean score was high (M = 4.07, SD = 0.51). Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in mean score among participant age groups (P = .03). Significant differences (P = .01) were also noted between different professional groups and their time constraints sub-scale score on the ATIHCT scale. A higher mean score occurred in participants who had a current certification (M = 4.13, SD = 0.50) compared to those without (M = 4.05, SD = 0.46). CONCLUSION High overall scores in attitudes toward health care teams suggest that cancer care settings are primed for interprofessional care model implementation. Future studies should examine strategies to improve attitudes among specific groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses are in a position to lead interprofessional teamwork in the clinical setting. Further research is necessary to examine best collaborative models in health care to support interprofessional teamwork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Dunnack Yackel
- Clinical Research Nurse and Scientist, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
| | - Anna-Rae L Montano
- Program Director of Inpatient Geriatric Services, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
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Dunnack Yackel H, Xu W, Lee JW, Cong X, Salner A, Duffy VB, Judge MP. Symptom Patterning Across the Cancer Care Trajectory for Patients Receiving Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study Using Latent Transition Analysis. Cancer Nurs 2023; Publish Ahead of Print:00002820-990000000-00120. [PMID: 36881642 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience a multitude of symptoms because of the tumor and its treatment. OBJECTIVE To identify the symptom patterns present in cancer treatment and survivorship periods for patients with HNC using latent class analysis. METHODS A retrospective longitudinal chart review was conducted to examine symptoms reported by patients who received concurrent chemoradiation for HNC in a regional Northeastern United States cancer institute. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the latent classes present across multiple timepoints during treatment and survivorship for the most commonly reported symptoms. RESULTS In 275 patients with HNC, the latent transition analysis revealed 3 latent classes for both treatment and survivorship periods: (1) mild, (2) moderate, and (3) severe symptoms. Patients were more likely to report a greater number of symptoms in a more severe latent class. During treatment, moderate and severe classes had representation of all most common symptoms: pain, mucositis, taste alterations, xerostomia, dysphagia, and fatigue. Different symptom patterns emerged for survivorship, with prominence of taste alterations and xerostomia across all classes, and all symptoms present in the severe class. The probability of symptom expression varied more in the survivorship period compared with the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS Patients reported numerous symptoms during active treatment persisting into survivorship. Patients tended to transition to more severe symptomatology as treatment progressed and to more moderate symptomatology as survivorship evolved. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Examining the trend of persistent moderate symptomatology into survivorship is useful to optimize symptom management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Dunnack Yackel
- Author Affiliations: School of Nursing (Drs Dunnack Yackel, Xu, Cong, and Judge) and Department of Statistics (Mr Lee), University of Connecticut, Storrs; Yale University, Orange (Dr Cong); Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital, Hartford (Drs Dunnack Yackel and Salner); School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington (Dr Salner); and College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs (Dr Duffy), Connecticut
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